DIVING INTO THE CHEMICAL WORLD OF CETACEANS – DICWOC

Although chemical signals are crucial for a diversity of biological functions and have been extensively studied in terrestrial mammals, olfactory and gustatory abilities have been poorly investigated in cetaceans. Our project aims to give an exhaustive insight into the chemical communication and to investigate the evolutionary adaptations of these sensory systems in a unique assemblage of mammals that re-entered the marine realm and exhibit a fully aquatic existence. Our approach is both original and multidisciplinary. It involves specialists with complementary backgrounds to integrate 3 levels of exploration: BEHAVIOURAL LEVEL to investigate the involvement and adaptive function of chemical communication in the feeding behaviour and the social life. NEURO-ANATOMICAL LEVEL to explore the nervous structures involved in the perception and the processing of chemical cues and CHEMICAL LEVEL to identify the molecules emitted by individuals and potentially involved in communication.